Celtic slip to back-to-back defeats

BetVictor Premier Division: Stalybridge Celtic 2-3 Basford United

Celtic rode their luck in the first half before taking the game by the horns and racing into a two goal lead, but the visitors came back strongly in the second half, snatching the win through an own goal. 

The early running was made by Basford, showing why they’re pushing for top spot in the table. Nathan Watson forced Alex Fojtíček into a good save early on, lashing back in a clearance that Fojtíček tipped around the post at full stretch. Moments later and he was rounding Fojtíček only for the Celtic keeper to get down and knock the ball from his feet. Watson went over and the ref pointed to the spot, but after consultation with his assistant, she said Fojtíček had got the ball and the pen was waved away. 

James Reid went close with a free kick and Matt Thornhill’s wicked shot needed a block from Stephen O’Halloran, before Celtic got into the game in a big way. A whole team goal saw Ross Dent win the ball in the middle and Anthony Whitehead spread the ball to find Declan Walker who fired in a great cross to the back post for Darius Osei to head over the defence where Jonathon Ustabasi arrive to tap in from close range. 

The Celtic defence had to be top form as Basford came looking for an equaliser. Thornhill found Fojtíček in excellent form, tipping over Thornhill’s free kick. Celtic got the second right before the interval in a great goal. Scott Bakkor was fouled near the halfway line, kept his feet and raced up the field, leaving the field trailing in his wake. Running into a cul-de-sac he put the perfect ball into the path of Darius Osei who rifled past Kieran Preston, giving the Basford keeper no chance. 

Celtic started the second half strongly, keeping the visitors at arms-length and coming close, with Ustabasi seeing a rocket unwitting deflected by former Celt, Stefan Galinski, Stephen O’Halloran getting his head on a corner only to clip the woodwork, Harry Freedman was the next to head back off the crossbar, Ustabasi firing the rebound wide. 

Basford were getting chances, Ash Worsfold denied by a sliding clearance on the line by O’Halloran as well as seeing a close-range header denied by a cracking stop from Fojtíček. He turned provider and had found Kane Richards at the back post just far enough ahead of Max Taylor to get a clean head on the ball and nod home to half the deficit. 

Osei could have restored the cushion, but his shot lacked power and Basford equalised off the break from that save, Callum Chettle’s through-ball allowed Richards to race towards goal and fire past Fojtíček. 

And then it all went horribly wrong when O’Halloran diverted Worsfold’s ball past Fojtíček to give the visitors the lead. Moments later and Basford could have been out of sight when Fojtíček caught Richards to concede a penalty. 

James Reid took the spot kick, but in a massive let off, Fojtíček saved. 

Despite being kept in the game, Celtic couldn’t capitalise and it was Jack Thomas who came closest to adding to the tally in stoppage time, his effort hitting the crossbar. It was a massively entertaining game, with two teams playing well, but ultimately, the own goal was the winning goal.

In player news, Nathan Vallentine (pictured) has been loaned to Matlock Town for the rest of the season.

By Deborah Taylor

Picture courtesy of Stalybridge Celtic